Bag, Especially Suitable for Dry, Flowable Materials, With Attached Carrying Strap

ABSTRACT

A bag with attached carrying strap is formed from a section of tubular bag material, having a material strip releasably adhered to the exterior surface of the bag material. The sealing of the ends of the open ends of the tubular bag material, in order to contain a product within the bag, also securely attaches the ends of the material strip to the bag. The central portion of the material strip can then be pulled away from the bag material, forming a carrying strap. The tubular bag material is preferably provided in a long roll and cut to length. Suitable bag materials include woven synthetic fiber, for example biaxial oriented polypropylene.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/140,102, filed Mar. 30, 2015,for all purposes. The disclosure of that provisional patent applicationis incorporated by reference herein, to the extent not inconsistent withthis disclosure.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bags for carrying flowable materials orproducts, typically dry materials or products. With more specificity,this invention relates particularly to bags produced from a long sectionof material, initially in a tube-type shape, typically used to carryproducts such as dry corn, animal feed, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The bag embodying the principles of the present invention comprises abag typically made from woven synthetic material, having an attachedcarrying strap fixed to the bag. In one embodiment, the bag materialcomes in the form of a long tube (tubular bag material). The carryingstrap is formed from a material strip, initially adhesively fixed orotherwise releasably adhered to the exterior surface of the bagmaterial, for example longitudinally down a centerline, also in a longmaterial strip. A suitable length of tubular bag material is cut off ofthe long tube section, forming a bag section, and one end of the bagsection is folded over and stitched closed, at the same time securingone end of the material strip (which ultimately forms the carryingstrap) to the bag by stitching as well as adhesive. The bag can befilled with desired materials or products, then the other end of the bagsection is folded over and stitched closed, at the same time securingthe other end of the material strip to the resulting bag by stitching aswell as adhesive. The bag of product (corn, pet food, etc.) product isthen typically offered for sale. When desired, a portion of the strip ofmaterial intermediate the ends thereof can be pulled away from thecentral portion of the main body of the bag section (overcoming theadhesive or other means of attachment), forming a carrying strap securedat both ends to the bag by stitching and adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a long section of tubular bag material,before cutting, embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the continuous tubular bag material,with a bag section cut off, embodying the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag section of FIG. 2, with one endof the bag section folded over and stitched closed, thereby alsoattaching one end of the material strip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bag section, filled with drymaterial (product) or the like, with both ends folded over and stitchedclosed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 4, with a portion of thematerial strip pulled up from the bag surface, forming a carryinghandle.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bag of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section view as indicated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a section view as indicated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

While various bags can embody the principles of the present invention,with reference to the drawings some of the presently preferredembodiments can be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bag of the present invention is formed from along section of tubular bag material 10, which may be in a long roll andcan be unrolled and a desired length cut off to form a bag section.Various materials can be used for the tubular bag material; onecommercially available and suitable material for the bag of the presentinvention is woven synthetic fiber, known in the art. If desired, aprinted overlay may be placed on the outer surface of the bag toindicate contents, serve as advertising, etc. It is understood that anysuitable material may be used for the bag, including but not limited tonatural fibers such as cotton; synthetic woven fabrics; polyethylene;the material known in the art as BOPP (biaxial oriented polypropylene),or paper.

FIG. 2 shows a desired length of tubular bag material 10 cut off,forming bag section 20, having first and second ends 22 and 24. Thelength of bag section 20 can be varied as desired for the desiredvolume. As can be seen in the figures, a material strip 30 is adhesivelyfixed or otherwise releasably adhered on the exterior of the bagmaterial, as can be seen in the figures may be a longitudinal strip ofequal length to the length of bag material; material strip 30 thuscomprises first and second ends 32 and 34. This material strip is whatultimately forms the carrying strap. Material strip 30 may be of a thin,strong material, such as a woven synthetic fabric, for example 2″-3″wide. A number of adhesives, or other ways of releasably adhering, knownin the art are suitable for holding the strip to the exterior of the bagsection during cutting, filling, stitching, etc., yet still permit thebuyer to readily pull the material strip up from the bag with relativeease.

In FIG. 3, a first end 22 of the bag section 20 has been folded over andstitched closed. It is to be noted that a first end 32 of material strip30 is likewise then secured to bag section 20 by the stitching. Secondend of bag section 20 remains open for filling with material asdescribed below. It is understood that bags embodying the presentinvention may be closed by any means, including but not limited to sewn,glued, heat sealed, or any combination thereof, and all are coveredwithin the scope of this invention.

In FIG. 4, bag section 20 has been filled, through the remaining openend, with material or product, typically dry, flowable material orproduct 50 (as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8), such as corn (for deerfeeders and the like), dog or other pet food, soil, sand, or any otherlike material or product. It is understood that the scope of theinvention encompasses any type of material or product within the bag.Also in FIG. 4, after bag section 20 is filled, the remaining second end24 is folded over and stitched closed. Now, both first and second ends32 and 34 of material strip 30 are fixed to the filled bag section 20 bystitching, while the central part of material strip 30 is adhesivelyfixed or otherwise releasably adhered to bag section 20. FIG. 7 is across section of the filled bag section 20, along the section line shownin FIG. 4. Material strip 30 can be seen, with adhesive layer 40 holdingit to the exterior of the bag.

At a desired time, typically after purchase of the bag of material bythe consumer, a portion of material strip 30 intermediate the first andsecond ends thereof can be detached from the central part of bag section20, while remaining attached at either end, and lifted away from thesurface of bag section 20 to form a carrying strap 60, as can be seen inFIGS. 5, 6 and 8. Carrying strap 60 can be gripped by one or both hands,or the strap can be slung over a shoulder to carry the filled bag.Carrying strap 60 (which is formed from material strip 30) is ofsufficient strength to carry the filled bag. FIG. 6 is a cross sectionview which shows material strip 30 pulled away from the bag in itscentral portion, while remaining fixed at both ends, forming carryingstrap 60. FIG. 8 is a cross section along the line indicated in FIG. 5,showing a section of material strip 30 pulled away from bag section 20,forming carrying strap 60.

It is understood that various materials can be used for the tubular bagmaterial and for the strip of material forming the carrying strap.Dimensions/size of the bag may be made as desired for particularapplications.

Conclusion

While the preceding description contains many specificities, it is to beunderstood that same are presented only to describe some of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not by way oflimitation. Changes can be made to various aspects of the invention,without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the bag may be ofany particular dimension/capacity; the carrying strap may be of anydesired size; orientation of the carrying strap on the bag may be angledif desired; more than one carrying strap may be placed on the bag; theends of the bag, and of the strip of material forming the strap, may besecured or releasably adhered by stitching, high-strength adhesive, or acombination thereof; the bag may be used to contain a large variety ofmaterials and products, etc.

Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined not by theillustrative examples set forth above, but by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A bag, comprising: a length of tubular bag material forminga bag section, comprising a material strip releasably adhered to anexterior surface of said length of bag section, said bag section andsaid material strip comprising first and second ends, whereby said firstand second ends of said bag section are sealed, and wherein said firstand second ends of said material strip are securely attached to said bagsection by said sealing, and wherein a portion of said material stripintermediate said first and second ends thereof may be pulled away fromsaid bag section, forming a carrying strap.
 2. The bag of claim 1,wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed bystitching, and wherein said first and second ends of said material stripare securely attached to said bag section by said stitching.
 3. The bagof claim 2, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section areadditionally sealed by an adhesive, and wherein said first and secondends of said material strip are additionally attached to said bagsection by said adhesive.
 4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said first andsecond ends of said bag section are sealed by an adhesive, and whereinsaid first and second ends of said material strip are securely attachedto said bag section by said adhesive.
 5. The bag of claim 1, whereinsaid tubular bag material comprises a woven synthetic fiber.
 6. The bagof claim 1, wherein said tubular bag material comprises biaxial orientedpolypropylene.
 7. The bag of claim 2, wherein said tubular bag materialcomprises a woven synthetic fiber.
 8. The bag of claim 2, wherein saidtubular bag material comprises biaxial oriented polypropylene.
 9. Aproduct bag, comprising: a length of tubular bag material forming a bagsection and having first and second ends, said first and second endsclosed by stitching so as to contain a flowable product within said bagsection; a material strip having first and second ends, releasablyadhered to an exterior surface of said bag section, said first andsecond ends of said material strip securely attached to said bag sectionby said stitching.
 10. The bag of claim 9, further comprising a volumeof product contained within said bag section.
 11. The bag of claim 10,where said material strip is pulled away from said bag section surface,intermediate said first and second ends, thereby forming a carryingstrap.
 12. The bag of claim 11, wherein said tubular bag materialcomprises a woven synthetic fiber.
 13. A method of forming a bag forcontaining a product, comprising: (a) providing a length of tubular bagmaterial, said bag material further comprising a material stripreleasably adhered to an exterior surface of said length of bagmaterial; (b) cutting said tubular bag material to a desired length,thereby forming a bag section and material strip, each comprising firstand second ends; (c) sealing said first end of said bag section, therebysecurely attaching said first end of same material strip to said bagsection; (d) placing a desired volume of product into said bag section;and (e) sealing said second end of said bag section, thereby securelyattaching said second end of said material strip to said bag section.14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second ends of saidbag section are sealed by stitching same closed, thereby also stitchingsaid first and second ends of said material strip to said bag section.15. The method of claim 14, comprising the further step of folding oversaid first and second ends of said bag section and said material stripduring said stitching.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising thefurther step of using an adhesive to seal said bag ends.
 17. The methodof claim 13, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section aresealed by an adhesive, thereby also adhesively connecting said first andsecond ends of said material strip to said bag section.
 18. The methodof claim 13, wherein said tubular bag material comprises a wovensynthetic fiber.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein said tubular bagmaterial comprises biaxial oriented polypropylene.
 20. The method ofclaim 13, comprising the further step of pulling said material stripaway from said bag section surface, intermediate said first and secondends, thereby forming a carrying strap.